My case is an example of misuse of ED, says DK Shivakumar
Ramanagara (Karnataka), Jul 21 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was being misused for political purposes, and cited his own case as an example of such "abuse".
Speaking to reporters in Kodihalli, Kanakapura, he said the Supreme Court's observations in the MUDA case, where it dismissed the ED's appeal, reflected a pattern of selective targeting.
"My case itself is proof of the ED being misused politically. They filed a case against me, sent me to Tihar Jail, and eventually the case was dropped," he said.
The Deputy CM urged the ED to introspect and examine whether it is succumbing to political pressure.
Referring to the MUDA case, he said, "Once a 'B' report was submitted, there was no question of further appeal. That is probably why the Supreme Court made such observations."
Shivakumar questioned why ED cases were being filed only against Congress leaders.
"Why are there no ED cases against BJP leaders? Why are only Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra and other Congress leaders targeted? Has everyone who joined the BJP suddenly become pure? Isn't this the BJP's washing machine?" he asked.
Shivakumar's remarks follow the Supreme Court's dismissal of the Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) filed by the ED in the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) land allotment case involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi B M and Congress MLA Byrathi Suresh.
The Karnataka High Court had earlier quashed the ED's notices in the case, observing that the agency acted without legal basis under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Supreme Court upheld that decision, stating that it found no fault in the High Court's ruling.
The MUDA case involves the allotment of compensatory sites to Parvathi in an upmarket Mysuru locality in lieu of 3.16 acres of land acquired from her by MUDA.
The ED had issued notices alleging irregularities in the allotment, but the courts have now rejected those proceedings.
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
